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Criminology and criminal justice represent unique but critically related approaches to understanding and addressing crime, including its victims and perpetrators. While criminologists endeavor to study the driving causes and potential consequences of criminal behavior, those who work in criminal justice leverage the resulting insight to detect and fight crime in action.

The online Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Kent State University helps prepare you for the diverse career paths associated with criminology, or the theoretical exploration of crime, as well as the practical application and execution of criminal justice policies, policing and corrections practices, victim advocacy initiatives, and contemporary global security measures.

Your opportunity to serve and safeguard others starts here. Explore degree concentrations in Global Security, Policing and Victimology, and kickstart your career with Kent State.

CCJ Careers by the Numbers

$67,582

Average salary for MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice graduates1

53,000+

New law enforcement jobs expected by 20262

Earnings Outcomes in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Because there are numerous professions that fall within the diverse fields of criminology and criminal justice, there is also a broad range in associated earnings potential. Below, view the current median annual salaries for common criminal justice and criminologist jobs, and remember that your Kent State MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice could help you earn up to 20 percent more than professional peers with a bachelor's degree only.3

$50,470
Social workers4
$50,510
Private detectives and investigators5
$65,170
Police and detectives6
$86,030
Detectives and criminal investigators7
$99,730
Information security analysts8

Criminal justice or criminology—which path is yours?

As the discipline that deals in the practical application of policy and research, criminal justice is associated most closely with law enforcement, court proceedings and criminal corrections. Professionals in this field may work as criminal investigators or federal agents, but they may also work in research and policy development, aiming to improve existing policing or corrections practices.

On the other hand, criminologist jobs are focused almost entirely on investigative research and policy development, with leaders in the field being highly sought after in both the private sector and federal government agencies. A criminologist’s daily responsibilities can be surprisingly varied and may include:

  • Visiting crime scenes to collect evidence
  • Attending autopsies
  • Examining evidence
  • Exploring psychological causes of crime
  • Organizing evidence and providing statistical analyses

Learn more about our concentrations.

Global Security Policing Victimology

Common Career Paths in Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • Criminologist
  • Police Officer
  • Criminal Investigator
  • Private Detective
  • Paralegal
  • Criminal Profiler
  • Jury Consultant
  • U.S. Border Patrol agent
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent
  • Drug Enforcement Administration agent
  • U.S. Marshal

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Global Security Career Paths

Online MA graduates who have concentrated in Global Security have gone on to pursue roles that include:

  • U.S. Border Patrol Agent
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent
  • Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
  • U.S. Marshal

Global Security Overview

Policing Career Paths

Graduates of the online MA program who concentrated in Policing have been successful in the following careers:

  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • State Trooper
  • Correctional Officer
  • Highway Patrol

Policing Overview

Victimology Career Paths

Our MA graduates who have concentrated in Victimology have gone on to pursue roles that include:

  • Criminal Profiling
  • Law Enforcement
  • Crime Analysis
  • Victim Advocacy
  • Criminal Investigation

Victimology Overview

Criminology and Criminal Justice Careers and Salaries

Check out our latest article about career paths and opportunities within criminology and criminal justice.

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Start Making an Impact in Criminology and Criminal Justice

To submit a successful application, follow the steps in our application checklist.
Download the Application Checklist
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Gain Career Traction

Make your success your top priority. Apply today.
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An Immersive Curriculum

Designed for busy working professionals and students seeking to expand their career options.
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Sources
  1. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_ofArts(MA)%2C_Criminology/Salary
  2. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/data-on-display/education-pays.htm
  3. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
  4. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/private-detectives-and-investigators.htm
  5. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
  6. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes333021.htm
  7. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
  8. Retrieved on November 27, 2018, from thebalancecareers.com/what-can-you-do-with-a-criminal-justice-degree-974612